Coyotes Get on Winning Track Heading into District Play

Friday

Jan 10, 2014 at 11:27 AM

By Marcus ElliottSports Editor

Anna finished the non-district portion of its schedule with two big wins within a week as it wrapped up the holiday break. Blow-out victories over Legacy Christian and Pilot Point give the Coyotes momentum as they start district play on Friday at home against Princeton – the top seeded team in the district.

"Going 15-8 in our non-district is a very good beginning to the year," Anna Head Coach Nick Sekeres said. "I’m very proud of the boys for getting to that many wins prior to our district season. We understand now that we have to start over at 0-0 now and focus everything on getting in to the playoffs."

The Coyotes will have a bye Tuesday and take on Melissa the following Friday.

"We are starting right away with what could easily be the strongest and deepest team in Princeton. Bonham has won a lot of games and they, as well as Melissa and Community have very good players that are seniors and have a lot of experience,"Sekeres said. "It will be a very big challenge and were going to keep doing what we have been doing with our effort in our workouts and hope that it pays off for us with a playoff berth."

Anna 49, Legacy Christian 22

Anna was the stronger team and it proved so early on Tuesday night as it played host to Frisco’s Legacy Christian in its last non-district game. The Coyotes held Legacy to single digits in every quarter and went on to win 49-22.

Senior Adriun Harrison, who finished the game with a team-high 12 points, helped Anna start strong with four points in the opening quarter. Keamoni Mattocks added a trey in the opening period, and the Coyotes led 9-4 at the end of one.

Jeff Muchai had the hot hand in the second quarter, hitting two field goals and icing two from the charity stripe. Harrison had four more points, and Anna led by 13 at halftime.

The Coyote offense was unstoppable in the third quarter with Mattocks draining two from beyond the arc, Muchai adding an additional four points and Brennan White getting on the board with two free throws to help Anna build a 24-point advantage going into the final period.

Anna continued to gain ground in the fourth as they put away their visitors by a final score of 49-22.

Muchai finished the game with 10 points to join Harrison in the double-digit club, while Mattocks had nine points in the contest. Other Anna scorers included EJ Smith (6), Gage Scribner (6) and Brennan White (4.)

F 4 5 8 5 — 22

A 9 13 19 8 — 49

Anna 47, Pilot Point 24

Anna traveled to Pilot Point on Saturday where the defense played big. Anna defenders shut down their hosts on the way to a 47-24 win in their last game of the holiday break.

Both teams started off slow with Anna trailing at the end of the first quarter. However, the Coyote defense blanked Pilot Point in the second quarter to rally and take a 14-9 lead at the end of the first half.

The Coyote domination continued in the second half with Anna extending its lead by 10 while holding the Cats to just five points in the third. Both teams had their best scoring quarters in the fourth, but Anna was able to finish the game with an 18-10 fourth quarter run to get the 23-point victory.

Harrison was the leader of the Coyotes offensive attack with 15 points in the contest. Mattocks also had a strong showing, finishing with 14. Other Anna scorers included Brennan White (6), Dylan Duncan (5), Chase Henson (3), Gage Scribner (3) and Alex Scheidt (1.)

A 5 9 15 18 — 47

P 9 0 5 10 — 24

Aubrey 46, Anna 39

Prior to the Pilot Point contest, Anna took on Aubrey and fell 46-39 despite 18 points from Mattocks and 11 from Harrison.

The Coyotes led in the first quarter but trailed by six at the end of the first half.

Anna cut the lead to four by the end of the first quarter but was unable to complete the rally and fell by seven.